The island was settled by Portuguese people, especially farmers from the Minho region,[1] meaning that Madeirans (Portuguese: Madeirenses), as they are called, are ethnically Portuguese, though they have developed a distinct regional identity and cultural traits.
The region of Madeira and Porto Santo has a total population of just under 256,060, the majority of whom live on Madeira Island (251,060) where the population density is 337/km2; leaving around 5,000 on Porto Santo island where the population density is 112/km2.
About 247,000 residents, or 96% of the population, are Catholic.
Funchal is the location of the Catholic cathedral.
This Madeira-related article is a stub.